Steam heating system for railway cars



Oct. 25, 1932.

E. A. RUSSELL STEAM HEATINGSYSTEM FOR RAILWAY GARS Filed Deo. 16, 1929 v. fl t 2 Sheets-Sheet l q, G Imfen 01 IOM/# zzw/ m (j M Oct. 25, 1932.

E. A. RUSSELL STEAM HEATING SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY cAEs Filed Dec. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l I I 3U the vapor in 'the radiator loops Will condense,

Patented Oct.'i25, 1932y UNITED STATES PATENT GFFCE liinvvilnn A. RUSSELL, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,r ASSIGNOR 'To varon CAR HEATING COMPANY, INC., AOE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF YORK STEAM HEATING SYSTEMVFOR RAILWAY CARS i applicati@ mea December 16,` 1929. serial 1sr .-414 ,2s1.

Thisinven-tion yrelates to vcertain ynew and useful improvements in a steam heating system for railway cars, and more particularly toanimproved form of control valve em- 5 bodyingmeans for draining the radiating pipes and valves when the valve or valves a-re left in any position of adjustment.

lua vapor car heating system, of the general type shown for example in the reissue patent to Gold and Russell, reissue. No. 16,487, dated November 23, 1926, the car is provided with. a pair of similar radiators or pipe loops, one or both of which may be used according to the amount of heat required in .i the car.l The radiators are connected in tandem through a pair of similar control valves, the steam flowing through a vapor regulator, and thencethrough the valves and the pipe loops back to` the regulator. When in yserv- -rrice, one or vboth of `the loops ismaintained filled with steam or Vvapor at substantially atmospheric pressure. vided with drainage ducts, whereby When the valves are' closed and steam is out oli'7 from the pipe loops or radiators, thecondensate forming in the radiators can drain out through the respeotivevalves. If for any yreason the valves are Aleft 1n vopen position and the car 1s then taken out of service,

but in this position ofthe valves the-'socalled central-loop consisting of a portion of the two radiator loops or coils will not have any outlet to ythe -drainage ports. Ac-

cording to the present invention, means 1s provided for drainingkthis portion of the radiator loops when the steam supply is cut off with the valves left'in open position.

Thismeans consists of an` auxiliary drainage f port formed in one ofthe control valves and provided with a thermostatically operated valve for closing thefport when the system yis filled with Vvapor but automatically openingthe :port when 'the vapor condenses so that r`the condensate mayvdrain out.

The valves are pro- The lprincipal object of this invention is vto'providean improved means for draininga vapor heating y system ksuch as lbriefly de` n scribed hereinaboveand dlsclosed more indetail in the specifications Which follow.

Another object is to provide an improved orm of 'control valve for a vapor car heating system7 embodying an auxiliary drainage port.

Another object is to providean improved form of temperature controlled drainage port for the control valve of a vapor heating system. l

Other objects andadvantages of this invention Will be more apparent lfrom the ollowing detaileddescription of one approved form-of apparatus embodying the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. `l is a perspective view of the )principal elements of y'the car heating system.

v Fig. 2 is' a horizontal section through the 'two control valves. f

Fig?) `is a vertical sectionthroug-h the contr'ol valve 'embodying` the improved drainage port, this view being taken lsubstantially on ythe line 3-3 of Fig. f2. e

,Figs 4. aind areviews similarto Fig. 3 showing modified ,forms 'of thermostatie valves forthe drainage port.

The lradiating systemembodies two'similar control valves A `and B which -feed steam to thevtwo similar radiators or pipe loops C and D respectively. The vapor :regulator E receifes steam from the main-supply pipe or 1train -line F and delivers this steam inthe formot vapor at substantially latmospheric .pressure to the yradiator loops. This` vapor regulator E lmay be of :the type disclosed in the Goldpet. al., patent v,hereinabove referred to. Steam flows from the A'train line F through pipe l into the vapor regulator wherein la Ather'mostaticalily 4controlledvalve :governs the flow of steam from the vapor regulator 4through pipe 2 into Athe control valve A. The steam or vapor, a'tter lowin through one or bot-h ot the radiator loops and D returns Jfrom valve B through pipe 3 to the vapor regulator' E. This returned vapor acts upon a temperature responsive element in the vapor regulator' to control the steam supply valve. hen steam or vapor is returned to the regulator pipe 3 the temperature responsive element will act to close the valve, but in the absence of such returned Vfour separate chambers: an inlet chamber a,

an outlet chamber b, asupply chamber c, and a return chamber d. The chambers of the valve A are indicated by the unprimed ret'- erence characters above noted, whereas the similar chambers of valve B are indicated by primed reference characters. A hollow central cylindrical valve casing 4 is provided with ports 5 communicating with each of the valve chambers, and contains a rotary valve member 6. The valve 6 is shown in its socalled closed position in solid lines in the valve A, whereas the similar valve 6 is shown in open position in solid lines in the valve B. The alternate positions of each of these valves are indicatedV in dotted lines in the two valves A and B`.` As shown in Fig. 2, the

valve A is in closed position and the inlet chamber a is in communication through this rotary valve with the outlet chamber b, while the supply chamber c is in communication i with the return chamber d. The valve B is in the open position so that inlet chamber a communicates with supply chamber c', and return chamber d communicates with the outlet chamber o. rIhe valve members 6 are moved either simultaneously or individually from their closed to their open positions or vice versa by means of the crank arms 7 on the rotary shafts 8 projecting out through the valve casings 9.

The inlet pipe 1() of the radiator C leads i from supply chamber c of valve A, and the return pipe 11 of radiator C leads back into the return chamber CZ of valve A. This radiator C in the form here shown consists of the two oppositely projecting lower pipe sections 12 and 13 which are connected by the upwardly looped end portions 14 and 15 with the upper pipe 16 extending longitudinally of the car. The other radiator unit D con- J sists in. a similar manner of inlet and return pipes 17 and 18, the lower longitudinally extending pipes 19 and 20, and the upwardly looped end portions 21 and 22 connecting with the ends of the upper pipe 23. The inlet pipe 17 extends from supply chamber c of Y l valve B, and the return pipe 18 leads back into return chamber cl of valve B. The outlet chamber o of valve A is connected by pipe 24 with the inlet chamber a of valve B. The

supply pipe 2 from the vapor regulator E I 'i thence from inlet chamber a of this valve to the supply chamber c and thence through the radiating loop C and back into the return chamber d and outlet chamber 7) ot valve A. The fiow continues through the connecting pipe 24 to the inlet chamber a of valve B and passes in a similar manner through the valve. B and radiating loop D flowing out from outlet chamber b and return pipe 3 back to the vapor regulator E. It the radiation is to be entirely cut off, both valves 6 are moved to the closed positions shown in solid lines in valve A and in dotted lines in valve B. The steam now Howsl from inlet chamber (z of valve A directly into the outlet chamber Z), thence through pipe 24 to the inlet chamber a and outlet chamber of valve B and back through pipe 3 to the vapor regulator. The two radiator loops C and D are now entirely cut off from the source of steam supply. Then a reduced heating etfect is desired, the valves 6 may be adjusted as shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, that is with valve A closed and valve B open. The steam now Hows directly through the inlet and outlet chambers of valve A and pipe 24 to the valve B, wherein the steam is diverted through the radiating loop D before passing back to the vapor regulator. The irst pipe loop C is n-ow out of service.

It will be apparent that drainage means must be provided for taking care of the condensate that will form in the system as the steam or vapor' is condensed when the heat is radiated or conducted therefrom. riChe pipes leading from the vapor regulator to the inlet and outlet chambers yof the two valves A and B can drain back to the vapor regulator where provision is made for taking careA of the condensate. However, when the valves are in the closed position, the radiators are entirely cut oli' trom the vapor regulator s. le,

fbers of the valves.

and means must be provided'for permitting the condensate to drain out from the radiator loops and from the-supply and return charn- For this purpose a drainage port 25 provided in the bottom disc 26 of valve member 6 which registers with a similar drainage port 27 formed in the bottom of the valve casing when the valve is in the closedk position shown in valve A. When the valve is in the open position shown in valve B, the ports 25'and 27 are out of register with one another soas to close the drainage ports and prevent the escape of steam or condensate therethrough. It will now be apparent that when either valve is in the closed position (shown in valve A, Fig. 2) the condensate forming in the radiator and pipes leading thereto can iiow baclrinto the supply and return chambers c and d and thence out through the drainage port 25 in the rotary valve. In order to break the vacuum that 4would be formed-within the radiator` loop when the valve is closed and communication is cut off with thevapor regulator, a passage is formed in the rotary valve 6 consisting of a vertical passage 28 having an outlet 29 at its upper end leading into the connected chainbers c and/il and a passage 30 at its lower end is closed. The features just described prothe heat on) and thecar will then be disconnected from a train, or the steam main F will be disconnected so that the source of steam supply will be cut off. Insuch an event the inlet and return pipes 10 and 18 and the portions of the radiators which normally drain thereinto will be in open communication with the inlet chamber a of valve A and the outlet chamber b" of valve B, and these portions of the system can drain out in the same manner as during' the normal operation of the system. At this time, the so-called central loop of the radiating system will drain back into the returnchamber d of valve A and the supply chamber c of valve. B. This portion of the radiating. system consists of the pipes 11 and 13, and 17 and 19, and those portions of the end loops and upper piping that are so positioned as to cause the liquid to gravitate'through these pipes back to the valve casings. It willV be noted lthat the chambers d and c are in communicationwiththe chamvbers b and a and the connecting pipe 24 but that no means is provided for draining any of this l ortion'of the system when the valves are in t e open position. Itis the particular l purpose of the present invention to provide ymeans for taking care of this emergency. A

drainage port 32 is formed in the lower portion ofthe web 33 separating the chambers aand b of valve B, so that when this port is open the central loop of the heating system can drain through this port into the outlet chamber b and thence through pipe 3 back to thevapor regulator. A valve is provided for automatically closing this port when the system isfull of steam or vapor andit is desirn able to prevent the flow of steam through the is filled with steam or vapor, the thermostatic element 39 will expand and push out the upper end 40 of lever 36 causing the lower end of the lever to swing inwardly and move valve 34 to closed position, thus preventing the flow of steam throughr port 32. When the steam supply is cut otl" and the steamV or vapor in chamber a condenses, the member 39 will contract and valve 34 will be moved out ofthe entrance to port or passage 32 soas to permit the condensate to drain out into outlet chamber b and thence back to the vapor regulator.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the

valve 34 is carried at the lower end of a bimetallic thermostatic bar 41 which is anchored at its upper end 42 within the valve chamber. When the bar 41 is heated it will swing to the position shownin Fig. 4 and close the valve. When the steam condenses and the bar 41 cools ity will swing back into chamber a so as to open the val've`34. Int-lie modification shown in Fig. 5, the valve 34 `is formed at the inner endof a thermostatic rod 43 adj ustably mounted at 44 in-the outer wall of the valve casing. When bar 43 is heated by the presence of steamwithin the chamber a', 7"

filled with steam or vapor. At any time the steam supply is cut oil'l this port will automatically be opened. In case the valves are left'in closed position, the port 32 will be unnecessary since the chambers a and b are now in open communication with one another through rotary valve 6. However,y in the event that the. valves 6 are left in open position, the port 32 will form a means for draining the central radiating loop and the chambers b, d, c and a. This auxiliaryldrainage I.

fil)

port 32, in combination with the normal drainage means first described, permits the radiating system to be completely drained of condensate under any and all conditions.

It is to be understood that it is only necessary to provide this auxiliary drainage port 32 in the second control valve, (the valve B) and that the drainage from the first valveA Will be taken care of through the connecting pipe 24. In all other respects, the valves A and B may be identical with one another.

As already noted, in normal operation all of the chambers a, o and b will be lilled With steam so that the thermostatically operated valve can be positioned in any one of these chambers, and the valve opening 32 can be positioned in the web either valve A or B. It is only essential that the cent-ral loop of thev radiating system be permitted to drain out-toward either the supply or return sides of the system.

I claim:

l. In a vapor heating system, a vapor regulator, a pair of similar control valves each comprising a easing forme-d with inlet, outlet, supply and return chambers, a valve movable from open position in which tlieinlet chamber is placed in communication with the supply chamber and the outlet chamber in communication vvith the return chamber, to closed position in Which the inlet chamber communicates With the outlet chamber and the supply chamber with the return chamber, the valve being formed with a drain port for the supply and return chambers which is open when the valve is closed and is closed when the valve is open, a supply conduit leading from the vapor regulator to the inlet chamber of the first valve, a conduit connecting the outlet chamber of the first valve with the inlet chamber of the second valve and a return conduit connecting the outlet chamber ot the second valve With the vapor regulator, a pair of radiators one ot Which has its supply and return pipes connected with the supply and return chambers respectively of the first valve, and the other radiator of which is similarly connected With the second valve, the casing of one ot the valves being provided with a drain port connecting the inlet and outlet chambers thereof, a valve controlling this port and means for automatically closing the valve when the chambers are lilled with vapor.

2. In a vapor heating system, a vapor regulator, a pair of similar control valves each comprising a casing formed with inlet, outlet, supply and return chambers, a valve movable from open position in which the inlet chamber is placed in communication with thel supply chamber and the outlet chamber in communication with the return chamber, to close d position in which the inlet chamber communicates with the outlet chamber and the supply chamber With the return chamber, the valve being tormedwith a drain port tor the supply and return chambers Which is open When the valve is closed and is closed when the valve is open, a supply conduit leading from -the vapor regulator to the inlet chamber of the `iirst valve, a conduit connecting the outlet chamber of the first valve With the inlet chamber of the second valve and a return conduit connecting the outlet chamber of the second valve With the vapor regulator, a pair of radiators one of Which has its supply and return pipes connected with the supply and return chambers respectively of the iirst valve, and the other radiator of Which is similarly connected with the second valve, the casing of one of the valves being provided with a drain port connecting the inlet and outlet chambers thereof, a valve controlling this port and thermostatically operated means for automatically closing the valve when the chambers are illed With vapor.

3. In a vapor heating system, a vapor regulator, a pair of similar control valves each comprising a casing formed with inlet, outlet, supply and return chambers, a valve movable from open position in which the inlet chamber placed in communication with the supply chamber and the outlet chamber in communication With the return chamber, to closed position in which the inlet chain` 'ter communicates with the outlet chamber and the supply chamber with the return. chamber, the valve being formed With a drain port for the supply and return chambers which is open when the valve is closed and is closed when the valve is open, a supply conduit leading from the vapor regulator to the inlet chamber of the first valve, a conduit connecting the outlet chamber of the first valve with the inlet chamber of the second valve and a return conduit connecting the outlet chamber of the second valve With the vapor regulator, a pair of radiators one of which has its supply and return pipes connected with the supply and return chambers respectively of the iirst valve, and the other radiator ot' which is similarly connected with the second valve, the casing of one of the valves being provided with a drain port connecting the inlet and outlet chambers thereof, a thermostatic element positioned in one of these chambers and a valve movable to close the port when the thermostatic element is eX- panded by vapor in the inlet chamber.

4. In a vapor heating system, a vapor regulator, a pair of similar control valves each comprising a casing formed with inlet, outlet, supply and return chambers, a valve movable from open position in Which the inlet chamber is placed in communication With the supply chamber and the outlet chamber in communication with the return chamber, to closed position in which the inlet chamber communicates With the outlet chamber and the supply chamber With the return chamber, a supply conduit leading from the vapor regulator to llO the inlet chamber of the first valve, a conduit connecting the outlet chamber of the first valve with the inlet chamber of the second valve and a return conduit connecting the outlet chamber of the second valve with' the vapor regulator, a pair of radiators one of which has its supply and return pipes connected With the supply and return chambers respectively of the first valve, and the other radiator of which is similarly connected with the second valve, the control valves being provided With a plurality of drainage ports for permitting condensate tovllow from the radiators and valves in anyposition of adjustment of the Valves, and means for automatically closing said ports when the system is filled with steam.

v EDWARD A. RUSSELL. 

